10/27/2026
Emerald Ridge 3, Curtis 2 (25-22, 20-25, 15-25, 25-17, 18-16)
(University Place, WA) Two of the best teams in the state faced off for the second time this season as Emerald Ridge went on the road to face Curtis with 1st place in the league on the line as districts approach. Emerald Ridge came into the game as the #2 team in the 4A RPI and had a record of 15-1 overall (10-0 in league). Curtis was neck and neck with them as they came into the game #3 in the RPI and 15-2 on the season (10-0 in league). What transpired was one of the best games viewers will see and showcased high school volleyball at the highest level between two teams that look to make deep playoff runs
1st Set
The game started as expected as both teams exchanged points back and forth from the jump. The high-powered offense of Emerald Ridge, led by Peyton Frederick, Korbyn Hansen, Nevaeh Thomas, and Tee Haizplip, was on display. On the other side of the court was Kayla Baker, Tala Johnson, and Mia Nelson that punished the ball for the Vikings. While both offenses were scoring, the defenses for both teams would not allow a point to go beyond a couple of points throughout the set. Kathryn Harris and Pressley Messersmith held down the fort for Curtis on defense, and Olivia Puttler and Kaitlynn Mathiesen did the same for Curtis. Emerald Ridge would find themselves up three points at one point and maintained that lead until the end of the set where they would win it 25-22.
2nd Set
Set two was almost identical in the offensive output and the defensive production for both squads. Once again, the two schools went at it, with neither giving the other room to build a lead. Both caught fire as the rallies became longer and the teamwork started to flow more and more. This time, however, it would be Curtis that would find themselves in a somewhat comfortable lead. Kayla Baker and Mia Nelson would collect big kills down the stretch while the defense locked down their side of the court. Curtis took set two 25-20 and tied the match at 1-1 going into the third.
3rd Set
Curtis started off hot in the third set and started to dominate as the defense didn’t allow Emerald Ridge to catch any type of rhythm. With the defense swarming the ball and the offense finishing possessions with kill after kill, the Vikings’ lead continued to grow and grow. It was tight for the first 12 points for each team, but something happened to Curtis that started a takeover until the end of the set. Baker, Johnson, and Nelson racked up points and continued to extend the lead. Curtis would win the set 25-15 and take a 2-1 set lead.
4th Set
Take what happened in the third set and just flip the team because that is what happened for the Jaguars in a set they needed to win. They jumped out to a massive lead to open the set and brought the score to 11-5. Peyton Frederick, Korbyn Hansen, Nevaeh Thomas, Tee Haizlip, and Olivia Henderson all began to dominate at the net, and as much as Curtis attempted to rally back, they couldn’t handle the offensive onslaught. The defense for the Jaguars went to the next level as they withstood the offensive power coming back at them seemingly with ease. The mix of defense and offense carried Emerald Ridge to a 25-17 set four win and brought the game into a fifth set to decide it all.
5th Set
The fifth set returned to the back-and-forth battle that the first two sets had been. The teams were deadlocked as neither team would give up a lead. Peyton Frederick would start at the serving line for the Jaguars and score back-to-back aces. Once again, both squads were at it, going point for point with each other. Nevaeh Thomas and Peyton Frederick would secure a few clutch kills for a small run of points late in the set to set Emerald Ridge up at match point, leading 14-10.
Curtis would not be fazed, though, as Kayla Baker and Mia Nelson would help score four straight points for the Vikings, which made it a win-by-two scenario. To be expected, neither team would allow those two final points to be scored for a while as the lead was constantly changing and both teams made ultra-clutch plays. With Emerald Ridge leading 17-16, Olivia Henderson delivered the final blow for the Jaguars with a kill for an 18-16 set-five win. Both teams showed why they are two of the best in the 4A classification, if not the state, and also why either one of them could be bringing home a state championship trophy this season. A masterclass from both schools and one of the best games of the year. ER, though, is now the solidified SPSL champions, and Curtis falls to 2nd place in the league.
Sumner Holiday Inn Express MVP of the Game
The Sumner Holiday Inn Express MVP of the game went to Peyton Frederick, who was borderline unstoppable when she got a chance to attempt a kill. There aren’t too many people who can hit the ball harder, and she punished the ball time and time again. She has always been one of the biggest offensive forces for the Jaguars, and in this game she proved why she is one of the best players in the state. Whenever the ball went in her direction, good things always seemed to happen, and she was a massive contributor in the biggest win of Emerald Ridge’s season and an SPSL championship.
What’s Next?
The SPSL will play in a league tournament starting on November 5th, and the seeding will be announced soon. Emerald Ridge will be the #1 seed as they reign atop the league after the win, and Curtis will be the #2 seed.
Link to watch full game replay on the NFHS Network (subscription required)
West 42 Sports Postgame Show
Video Highlights
Great Rally in Set One Ending with Emerald Ridge Point
Great Defense, Better Offense by Kayla Baker
Amazing Set Three Rally
Peyton Frederick Kill and Ace Back-to-Back
Nevaeh Thomas Brings It to Match Point
Kayla Baker with the Clutch Kill to Tie the Fifth Set
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